Rory looking for early Masters boost

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As always, world no.1 Rory McIlroy will be the centre of attention at the Honda Classic which starts tomorrow in the sunshine state of Florida.

As always, the pressure will be on the superstar from Northern Ireland who, as always, will be expected to leave the rest of the field trailing in his wake. However, it will be no stroll in the park at the immaculate Palm Beach Gardens – the aptly-named Champion course at PGA National Resort & Spa is pretty demanding, a tough nut to crack and, as you would expect, a star-studded line-up has been assembled and will battle it out for the spoils.

This is where the real preparation for the Masters – the first major of the season – begins in earnest and McIlroy is determined to stamp his skill, style and power on proceedings.

This, after all, is a happy hunting ground for him having captured the 2012 Honda Classic spoils. He knows the course and he knows what it takes even though he did miss out to American Russell Henley in a play-off last year.

Actually, and somewhat surprisingly, it will be the world no.1s first start on US soil in six months and along with him comes Martin Kaymer, last year’s Players and US. Open champion. Fourteen other players from the top 30 will be in attendance, making this the most competitive field of the year to date.

Among them will be Spaniard Sergio Garcia who will be looking to bounce back after going agonisingly close to victory at last week’s Northern Trust Open in California, eventually won by James Hahn who pipped Dustin Johnson and Paul Casey in a play-off.

 

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